Conventional Explosives Flashcards
What characteristic of a mechanical explosion does not apply to chemical explosions?
A chemical explosion does not require a CONTAINER
What are the primary effects caused by the detonation of a chemical explosion (3) ?
Fragmentation, Thermal, Blast Pressure
Describe the blast pressure effect associated with the detonation of an explosive?
There is an initial positive pressure wave, followed by a negative pressure wave
Describe the positive pressure phase of the blast pressure wave
Stronger, Shorter in duration, faster, moves outward from explosion
Describe the negative pressure phase of the blast pressure wave
Weaker, longer in duration, slower, moves TOWARD explosion/fills void
What are the two minimum components required in a chemical explosive
A fuel and an oxidizer
What is the difference between an explosive mixture and an explosive compound?
Mixture is mechanically blended, compound is molecularly bonded
Why are additives put into explosives?
For special effects
Low explosives are said to deflagrate or ______ rather than detonate…
Burn
What is the arbitrary rate of speed used to distinguish between low and high explosives?
3300 fps
What is the difference between high and low explosives?
high explosives detonate, low explosives deflagrate (burn) (3300 fps is threshold)
Define energy as it relates to characteristics of chemical explosion
Energy is the potential to do work
Define strength/power as it relates to the characteristics of a chemical explosive
Power is the ability to do useful work
The ________ effect gives an explosion the ability to push, shove, or heave a solid
The cratering effect
Define hygroscopicity
The ability to absorb moisture
What factors effect the efficiency and functioning of a shaped charge (4)?
Angle of walls, standoff, type of explosive, point of initiation
How does a shaped charge penetrate its target?
Focusing of hot gasses forms a concentrated jet (Munroe effect)
What are the most important qualities of a primary explosive?
Sensitivity to shock and friction
What is the difference between non-initiating and secondary explosives?
Nothing
What is the labratory standard by which all military explosives are compared to?
TNT
What is the detonating velocity of TNT?
22,600 fps
What is the main characteristic of a blasting agent?
It is not cap sensitive
Give two examples of blasting agents
Ammonium Nitrate (AN) and Nitro-Carbo Nitrate (NCN) (Both require a booster and are not cap sensitive)
When binary components are mixed, are they classed as explosive or non-explosive?
EXPLOSIVE
What is the most hazardous and dangerous of all explosives
Black Powder
What are the ingredients of black powder?
75% Potassium or Sodium Nitrate
15% Charcoal
15% Sulfur
What is used in safety fuses and time fuses?
Black Powder
What does the center core of detonation cord contain?
High Explosives (PETN, HMX, RDX)
When can propellants reach detonating velocities?
When in a container or when boosted with a cap
